Wilshire Neighborhood Asks LAUSD For Public Space Adjacent to Ambassador, Proposes Charter Schools in EIR Response.

Business Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2003

The newly formed Cocoanut Grove Center Coalition today told the Los Angeles Unified School District that the neighborhood's preferred option for development of the Ambassador Hotel site can be the most financially beneficial to the district and can get new school facilities in operation by next year, contrary to findings in the LAUSD's draft environmental impact report.

"The Coalition, in partnership with the Wilshire Enhancement Group and the Alliance for Student Achievement, is prepared to establish two charter schools in the neighborhood," said Gary Russell, coalition coordinator. "An elementary school could be in operation as early as next year, and a portion of the site can be used for needs that support the community and contribute to good education," he said.

The Cocoanut Grove Center Coalition was formed this summer to advocate development of the Ambassador site that serves a broad range of community needs. Members are the Wilshire Center Business Improvement Corporation, Korean American Chamber of Commerce, Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, Wilshire Center-Koreatown CRA, the Korean American Coalition and the Los Angeles Conservancy. The interim Wilshire Center-Koreatown Neighborhood Council also supports the work of the coalition.

The LAUSD owns the 24 acre site, which includes the historic seven story hotel and Cocoanut Grove night club, several commercial properties and spacious grounds. The district's goal is to provide complete K-12 facilities on the site to relieve overcrowding. The district's draft EIR presents five alternatives, ranging from substantial preservation of the existing historic structures to all new construction.

Alternative 5, supported by the Cocoanut Grove Center Coalition, presents several options that use about five acres adjacent to Wilshire Boulevard for public space, commercial uses and housing. The district claims that this is the most expensive alternative because new sites would have to be found for elementary schools.

But in its response to the EIR, delivered today, the Cocoanut Grove Center Coalition disagrees.

"By using funds from sale of the five acres adjacent to Wilshire Boulevard, and state and local bond funds to build charter schools, the district can save nearly $100 million," said Russell.

The options within Alternative 5 all provide for open public space. One would include housing above commercial facilities, one only commercial space and another would be a five acre park.

"The Cocoanut Grove Center Coalition would prefer the park and would like it to be named in remembrance of Robert F. Kennedy," said Russell. "This densely populated area needs open space, and a park would provide a community friendly link between the schools and the commercial buildings on Wilshire Boulevard," he noted.

"But there is a challenge to finding $35 million for purchasing the land and developing a park. So other options are acceptable as long as they include substantial public open and gathering spaces forming a new Cocoanut Grove Center," said Russell.

The Ambassador Hotel with its Cocoanut Grove night club was built in 1921 and was linked to the Hollywood scene of the era. It was also the tragic scene of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. The buildings are now leased, mainly to companies related to the movie industry.